edgaryg: Aww that's so sweet, thank you :3 I'm really glad I can make you smile! I hope I continue do to so :)
AssassinsGurl2012: Spoilers! =P One thing I can say is that they will live happily ever after, though it won't be an easy road!
TAyukii: I had to rewrite this chapter after reading Forsaken because I thought he went to find Jenny a lot later, so it was a pain to keep it canon. Thank you for your wonderful reviews as always xx
LurkingLady: I'm so glad you like Nora! I really want her to be a sweet little girl but she's such a pain to write as I don't know any young children. I have the same hesitation with reading Connor stories XD Ooooooh well if you ever do write a one shot about it, please let me know, I'd love to read it :D
And thank you to everyone else for reading :) (HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THE TRAILER FOR THE TYRANNY OF KING WASHINGTON? OMG I CAN'T WAIT!)
The first few weeks were hell. I started boxing several times a week, not for the money but simply for something to do. I spent more time with Mary, Edmund and Nora and took to sleeping on Haytham's side of the bed in the hope of feeling less lonely. We had only spent eight months together but it felt so much longer. I felt like I was a completely different person and when I thought back to who I was, I couldn't believe I used to be so blind and impulsive. I guess Haytham was right when he used to call me ignorant and naïve, because I had been. I understood now what he used to say about me, and was grateful to him for having made me mature into a woman rather than stay a child forever.
Khan and I renewed our efforts against slavers and thieves, ridding the streets of Boston and freeing the Frontier of their grips. He also taught be how to free run in the tree tops. I learnt how to do so in town when I first became an assassin, but the trees were difficult for me. I could climb them well enough, but once at the top I always found myself stuck. " Run across the branches and jump to the next tree! " He would call from the ground.
" What if the branch breaks under my weight? " I would call back, lacking the confidence I needed to be able to blindly run through the tree tops like he did.
" Trust yourself. " Was always his answer. Easy to say for someone who knew what he wanted to do with his life. But I was becoming more and more unsure about everything.
I grew bored of my life and though I loved spending time either with the Moores or with Khan, I felt like something was missing. And I knew it was Haytham. Nothing felt the same anymore, I had most defiantly changed since he and I had started our love affair. The boxing I used to love was now just there to change my mind and put food on the table. The contracts Achilles would give me became almost boring, being the same thing time and time again. Achilles and I had grown apart, and I no longer felt like I could tell him everything. Even the weather seemed boring, the grey sky making Boston and the Frontier seem depressing and wet. Khan alone remained the same and I had never felt so grateful to have him. No one could ever understand the level of understanding and faith that we shared.
True to his word, I received a letter from Haytham three months later, sooner than I had expected. It used to take much longer to travel back to England.
Dearest Eleanor,
I write to you from my hotel in London from where I depart in the morning. We are to head through France to Marseille where Holden and I take a boat to Beirut and there we début our search. As I told you before I left, I am quite unsure about how I feel about the prospect of seeing my sister after so many years. I wonder if she will recognize me. Will I recognize her?
Yesterday I took the liberty of investigating Pierre Duchateau's office at his bank. I was passing by when I recognized the name and thought I might help you in your quest to find him. He wasn't present of course, and I heard that he rarely is. He spends his time traveling the world, and was recently in Africa to buy slaves. I do not know where he will go afterwards but I have found out that he has contacts in London, Paris, Bordeaux, Rome and New York. The New York contact is a French slaver by the name of Antoine Renault. Try to still your blade until you have the information you need.
I hope to be reunited with you sooner rather than later. Your absence is making itself known more violently than I could ever have anticipated.
Yours faithfully,
Haytham Kenway.
When I read the letter I could hear his voice reading it in my head and his last words left a sad smile on my face as I wished he were there with me. I had a hard time imagining Haytham traveling through Europe and even to Asia but remembered that he had already traveled all through France, Italy and more eastern countries during the Spanish succession war. I was also very grateful to him for having researched Pierre Duchateau for me, and suddenly realized that I had a chance of getting my vengeance after so many years. How long had it been? Eighteen years already since I had last seen my family alive, before my house was burnt down because of the selfish Frenchman. I still didn't know why he had done it, and I had often wondered if he was a Templar but I knew that he probably wasn't. Haytham had never heard of him and as a very important member of the order, he knew about most of the Templars. And Antoine Duchateau was definitely unknown to him.
I showed the letter to Khan and together we decided to travel to New York to search for this Antoine Renault. It would be the first time I had gone anywhere other than Boston, Frontier land or Davenport Homestead and I grew exited. Would New York look like Boston? Would it be cleaner? Bigger? Would the people be the same? I had so many questions and I couldn't wait for them to be answered. Though the reason for the voyage was dark and hurtful, I was glad to have something to do.
Khan informed his wife Cassandra about his trip to New York. He told me she wasn't particularly pleased about it but didn't say anything. I was growing worried about the state of his marriage, because he spoke less and less of his wife every time we saw each other. I didn't dare ask him about it because I could see it was something he didn't wish to talk about. But there was a problem somewhere, and I didn't like it. As we got onto the ship that would take us to New York, I held him tightly in my arms and told him I would always be there for him. He didn't answer, but he held me tighter before letting me go.
It only took a couple of days to get to New York but it was enough for me to fall in love. When I was younger I had been sick at sea. I don't know how I managed to stay undetected all the way from London to Boston as I kept throwing up through the small openings in the ship, but I did. And now, nearly twenty years later, I had felt rather nervous about setting sail on the open sea. But after barely an hour, I was in love with it. The open sea, the salty sea air brushing my hair out of my face and the crashing sounds of the ocean against the ship's hull… It was all so beautiful. You could see nothing around but open water and I felt freer than I had ever felt before. Out in the open water, I belonged to no one. No one could tell me what to do, there were no rules, no laws, nothing expect the open ocean ahead of me. Of course, the captain of the ship had his rules but as a passenger, as long as I didn't assault anyone, I could do as I pleased. And that I did.
I climbed the highest mast of the ship three hours into the voyage and sat up there for the whole afternoon, watching other ships in the distance as they approached the nearest ports. Then when we were too far from land to see any ships, I watched the clouds reflect on the ocean, the patterns it made, and closed my eyes to listen to the wonderful sound the ocean made, and felt perfectly calm. It was truly wonderful. So wonderful in fact that I felt saddened when we arrived in New York and had to walk on land again, surrounded by the buzzing shouts of men, women and animals.
" Do you know a man named Antoine Renault? " I asked the owner of the bar Khan and I were in. It was on the main street of the town and seemed like the best place for a rich banker and tradesman to stay while he was in town.
" The slaver? " He asked as he served a drunk man another drink. I nodded and he continued. " He stayed here a weeks back. Rude he was. I didn't trust him. "
" Where is he now? " I wanted to now, my interest spiking higher than ever before in my life.
" No idea. He paid for his room and left with his mate didn't he? " The barman continued, barely paying attention to me as he continued serving other patrons.
" Who is this other man? " I kept on questioning the bearded man.
" A local tobacco grower. Lives on the northern outskirt of the city in that big house. " He waved his hand in the air. " Why d'you want to know anyway? He done something? "
" That's private matters. " I frowned. " Thank you for your help. " I added, tossing him a few coins for his services, and left the establishment to find Khan leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the street, talking to an old beggar man.
" I've got a lead. " I informed him as I walked up to him. The beggar man took a step back, intimidated by my sudden appearance. He must have been around ten years older than me, with a big bushy grey beard and very tanned skin. His blue eyes shone like a light in the middle of his dark tattered appearance.
" Good. Charlie here has seen him around. " Khan told me, indicating the beggar.
" Yes ma'am. Renault is a vile creature. Bastard sold my wife to Benjamin Dubois. " The beggar said. " If you're wanting to kill him, then I'll help. "
" Thank you. " I nodded appreciatively. " There is a large house owned by a tobacco grower north of here, do you know where it is? " I asked him.
" Yes, yes, it belongs to the very man I just told you about. I'll take you there if you follow me. " He nodded enthusiastically. " This man, Benjamin Dubois, is in close contact with the man you seek. You shall get the information you need. "
Khan and I followed Charlie, the beggar, all through New York. It was very different to Boston, the buildings were taller, the streets were wider. It smelt cleaner as well, but the people were all the same and the red coats still flooded the streets with their annoying drumming.
Sure enough, the house was huge. It sat in the middle of a large tobacco field where I could see half a dozen slaves working. Some of them were from Africa, others were native Americans. " Benjamin rarely comes outside. He stays inside of his office working all the time. " Charlie told me as we watched the house from the street.
" How do you know this? " Khan asked him.
" My wife Catherine is his daughter's personal slave. I manage to see her once a week and she tells me everything she can in the hope that it serves useful one day. And it has. " Charlie explained.
" I shall free her. " I told the beggar. " You have my word. "
His eyes grew wide with hope and he beamed at me. " Thank you ma'am, thank you! "
" Stay here and make sure no one notices what is going on inside. We'll deal with the slaver. " I informed him, looking to Khan for confirmation.
We walked straight up to Benjamin Dubois' front door and knocked. An African slave answered the door and I told her that I would like to speak to her master about selling Khan, a native that I had found stealing from my home. She told us to wait in the hall way and I had to suppress a laugh as I watched Khan pretend to be a defenseless slave. We had left his coat and weapons with Charlie so he was only wearing a white shirt and brown trousers, and I had taken intense pleasure at throwing some mud at him to make him dirty and slave-like. He shot me a death look as I grinned at him, straightening my coat as I prepared to speak to the slaver.
" Good afternoon. " He greeted, making his appearance.
" Good afternoon sir. " I bowed my head.
" I hear you want to sell me this slave? " He inquired, taking a good look at Khan.
" Yes sir. I captured him as he attempted to steal my horse but I can't afford to keep him. I thought, seeing as he's strong and capable, you might like to set him to work on your fields. " I explained in a much softer voice than I usually spoke with, as if I was a soft, poor woman.
" He indeed seems more than capable. Please, follow me to my office and we'll sort payment out. " He said, snapping his fingers so the slave from earlier arrived. " Take him to get cleaned up. " He ordered her, leading me away from Khan into his office.
As soon as his door was closed, I grabbed him by the collar and pushed him against the wall with a knife to his neck. " Where is Pierre Duchateau? " I seethed.
He had the stupid reaction of laughing. " You think you can handle me like that girl? " He mocked me. " I do not know a man by that name. " He lied, and lifted a knee to hit me in the stomach, setting himself free. He grabbed a knife from his desk as I recovered from the unexpected pain and launched himself at me but I easily countered and had him on the floor in a matter of seconds.
" You are friends with his associate Antoine Renault. Tell me where he is and I'll go easy on you. " I breathed from behind him, my knife pushing into his neck.
" Never. " He hissed angrily. I pressed harder with my knife, drawing blood but still he refused to speak. I removed my knife and punched him as hard as I could in the head, sending him to the floor where I kicked him in the balls, making him cry out in pain.
At the sound of her master's pain, the slave girl from before appeared in the doorway and understood the situation in a matter of seconds. " Go. You are free now. " I told her. She seemed to hesitate for a second, then ran off when she realized there was no hope for her master's survival. " Tell me where Pierre Duchateau is and I'll end your suffering quickly. " I repeated to the slaver at my feet.
" France! " He cried out when I kicked him again.
" Where in France? " I questioned, lifting him into a kneeling position.
" He took a ship to Bordeaux not long ago. I don't know where he plans to go from there! " He cried. " Now go to hell you wrench! "
" Thank you for your help. " I sneered slitting his throat and telling him fall to the ground. He hadn't deserved to live I told myself. No, he was a vile slaver who had no respect for life. He deserved him ending.
I left his office and found Khan in the hallway informing the other slaves that they were free to leave and lead their own life. There was a young girl sitting on the floor, crying, and I knew it was Benjamin's daughter. The slaves all ran off to safety except for one, who stayed next to Khan. She was European, a few years older than me with walnut brown hair and brown eyes. " Eleanor, this is Catherine, Charlie's wife. " Khan told me, indicating the remaining slave. " And this is the slaver's daughter. " He added, pointing to the crying girl on the floor.
" Leave her, she's done nothing. " I said. " I have what I came for, let's go. "
Back on the streets of New York, we caught up with Charlie who was in a row with some red coats. When he saw us, he immediately changed his attitude, lowered his head and apologized to them, then made his way over to us. He threw himself at his wife and held her tightly against him. " Catherine, thank goodness you're safe. I was so worried! " He cried.
" You know these people? " She asked, looking back at Khan and I.
" They want to bring down the man who sold you. They are good people. " He explained. " Thank you, if there is anyway I can repay you, I will be more than happy to oblige. " He added, smiling brightly as he held his wife.
" Just stay out of trouble and that is thanks enough. " Khan smiled at the two.
" Here, have this. " I handed them a large sack of coins I had picked up from Benjamin's office. I had kept one for myself but decided that the poor couple could use the other one more than I.
" I can not accept so much ma'am! " Charlie cried. " You've done more than enough already! "
" Think nothing of it. " I smiled, pushing it into his hands.
Khan and I left the happy couple and made our way back into the heart of New York. I told Khan about Renault being in Bordeaux and that I wanted to follow him there. " It might be the only chance I ever have. I don't want him to disappear again. " I explained.
" I understand Ella, but I can't follow you. " He sighed sadly. " Cassandra will never let me leave her side for so long. " I took a deep breath, suddenly unsure about my voyage. The prospect of traveling all the way to France on my own was somewhat scary, and I didn't now if I'd be able to do it on my own. " You'll be fine. " Khan added, hugging me when he saw my reaction. " You're a big girl now. "
" But it's so far away. And I can't even speak French! " I exclaimed, making him chuckle.
" You can't speak my language either but it's never stopped you from communicating with my family. " He said soothingly. " You said it yourself, you might never get another occasion like this. Seize it, and kill the bastard. Take back what is rightfully yours. "
The next day, we went to the docks and I paid for a one way passage to Bordeaux, south France. The ship left three days later so I began to prepare. I bought some normal clothes for me to wear so as not to attract unwanted attention. This consisted of light brown tights and leather shoes. A knee-length brown skirt with red trimmings at the bottom, a black shirt with large sleeves and a deep red under bust corset. When I put it all on, I looked like any normal citizen, not rich but not poor, and it felt odd to look so feminine for a change. I let my hair loose in it's usual waves and packed my bags with my normal clothes, a journal in case I needed to write anything down, my weapons and all of my money. I didn't know how much I would need because I didn't know where I would be going, or how long it would take me.
Saying goodbye to Khan was harder than saying goodbye to Haytham. Where I loved Haytham with a fierce passion, Khan was my shadow. He had always been there a few steps behind me, supporting me, advising me, and now I was going away to a foreign land without him. And I had never felt so scared.
" You'll be fine Ella, I have complete faith in you. " He muttered as we stood at the port, a few feet away from the ship I would be leaving on.
" But what if I can't do it? What if I get lost and can't find my way home? " I protested.
" Stop underestimating yourself. " He scorned me. " You can do anything if you put your heart to it, you're too stubborn not to. " He smiled and kissed my forehead. " I'll miss you. "
" I'll miss you too. " My voice broke and I pushed back tears as I squeezed him in my arms. " I'll miss you so much. "
The ship was about to leave so I picked up my bags, ran onto the ship just before the plank was taken away, and the ship set sail. I waved to Khan for a while and when he was only a speck in the distance, I turned around to take in my new setting. Men bustled around the ship, pulling ropes, setting sail and running around everywhere. The April sun shining down on my shoulders helped fight against the cold sea air and I realized just how alone I was. No one was there to save me if I got into trouble, not Haytham, not Khan, no one. I swallowed hard and made my way down to the small room I had paid for. This was going to be a long voyage.
It turned out that I was one of the three women on board the ship. The rest were men, sailors, tradesmen, philosophers and explorers. They all left me in peace, for which I was thankful, and I spent my days outside looking ahead desperately seeking the first sights of land. Two months I was told, two months until we reached Bordeaux. The first two weeks were the longest weeks of my entire life. I was beyond bored and felt like I was going to die if I didn't find an activity. Luckily, I did find an activity thanks to the sailing master, a Frenchman called Kevin Roux. True to his name, he was just as ginger as I was, with a bushy beard and big blue eyes. He was in his early thirties and had spent the last twenty years of his life on various ships.
He was in charge of the sailing and was nearly always at the helm, or what I called 'the big wheel', and I envied how good he looked. Sure, the ship's captain had the most power, but the sailing master had the best job. And he looked more like a commander. Kevin noticed the looks of envy I shot his way and one day he decided to show me how it was done.
" It's a heavy boat, so you will need a lot of strength to steer the helm in the right direction. " He warned me before letting me have a go.
" I'm stronger than I look. " I smirked, grabbing the wheel in anticipation. But Kevin was right, it was very hard to hold onto and as soon as his hands left the wood, it began swinging to the left and I could barely hold onto it. Kevin laughed and pulled on the wheel to set up back on course.
" You get used to it, ma petite. " He laughed, and I frowned.
" Let me try again. I know what to expect this time. " I asked, feeling like a child.
Again, I grabbed the helm and braced myself for the force of the sea which would try to change the course. When Kevin let go, I felt my arms strain to hold the helm in place but I managed it and I grinned triumphantly. I looked over to Kevin who observed me with his arms crossed, nodding. " Très bien. Now you need to check you are steering us in the right direction. " He instructed, and pulled a compass out of his pocket. " Which way to France? " He asked.
" East? " I answered, not knowing anything in that domain.
" How many degrees? " He asked, and I frowned.
" What does that mean? " I questioned him and he laughed again, and set about explaining things to me. I held onto the helm all afternoon as he explained the basics of navigation to me, how to hold onto the helm for hours without my arms tiring from the strain, how to read a compass, and a load of other things I didn't even know existed.
In fact, I spent the rest of the voyage by his side learning everything he knew. By that time we were rather good friends and I was quite sad to leave his side, leave the open ocean and the freedom it gave me. I loved steering the ship and Kevin told me he was more than happy to continue teaching me if I ever voyaged on one of his ships again. I smiled my thanks and hugged him when our feet landed on dry land for the first time in seven weeks.
" I'll try to find you again one day, I promise. " I smiled to him.
" I shall look forward to that day. Au revoir mademoiselle. " He smiled.
" Take care Kevin! " I waved as I walked into Bordeaux.
Bordeaux was nothing like Boston or New York. It was so much older and all the buildings were beautifully made of stone and had sculpted arches, columns and fountains, statues, large gardens and gold plated fences. It was all so rich, so old, it took my breath away. For over an hour, I completely forgot about my reason for being there in the first place and happily walked around town admiring everything. I couldn't understand the merchant's shouts as they tried to sell me cheese, fish and wine, but I enjoyed hearing something other than English. The city sounded different, smelt different, and I felt like a different person there. As I made my way into one of the cheaper inn's for the night, I felt like I could be anyone I wanted to be. I didn't have to be Eleanor, the orphaned British girl with no money, job or friends. No, I could be Eleanor, the strong, independent, determined British-American woman on a mission. And I loved it.